Local artist Adrienne van Dooren will show work at the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival

Local art enthusiast Roya June writes, “Adrienne van Dooren won 1st place in Asheville’s 7th Annual Creative Arts Show and Competition last Thursday. Her entry will now go forward to the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival in Boston, MA October 8-15. Her winning entry, “A Ribbon of Hope,” is shown here.

“The timing of the national competition is particularly appropriate since October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Adrienne’s winning entry is part of her new ‘Painting 4 the Cure’ series. (15-percent of her profits will be donated in support of Breast Cancer Research and several paintings will be donated for auction.) The series features ballet themes and was inspired by a close friend and former dancer recently diagnosed with breast cancer. ‘The parallels struck me,’ said Adrienne, ‘between the incredible feminine energy, balance and strength integral to ballet and also required to survive cancer.’

“Adrienne began painting after surviving her own battle with ovarian cancer when she was 38. ‘I had 6 weeks of convalescent leave and decided to dabble in watercolors. I found I loved to paint,’ she said. So, following her 20-year Army career, Adrienne used her veteran’s educational benefits to study art. She initially studied faux finishing and restorative arts and went on to win national and international awards and published the book: ‘The House that Faux Built: Transform Your Home using Paint, Plaster and Creativity.’ (100-percent of profits from the book went to build a Habitat for Humanity Home in New Orleans for hurricanes victims. Download free chapters atwww.fauxhouse.com.)

“The book was a huge hit and as a result Adrienne was featured on NBC House Smarts, HGTV Ideas, ABC Craft Corner, Southern Accents, Romantic Homes, Decorating Solutions, Paint Magic, The Washington Post and in numerous other media.

“Back injuries sustained while jumping from airplanes in the military limited Adrienne’s ability to sustain the physical effort needed for renovation projects in the long term, so for the last 5 years she has concentrated her efforts in the fine arts. Painting primarily in oils, she utilizes the methods of the old masters to add depth and realism to her art. Adrienne us currently represented by the Grand Bohemian Gallery.”